"The whole time," I reiterate.

He brings his face back to peer at me directly. I feel his thumb brushing over my chin and then finally my bottom lip. "Why do I think that's not the truth?"

"Because you're arrogant and shallow," I offer.

His chuckle makes me agitated. "One time will never be enough for me, especially in this case, when we've run into each other here. Call it what you want, but I think we shouldn't refuse a perfect opportunity for enjoyment."

I'm hot and bothered, completely forgetting I'm in public surrounded by family and friends. My lips part, and as his cross over mine I get lost in the embrace. His familiar tongue course's over mine with just enough movement where I'm crumbling in his arms. Fire ignites between my legs as I remember the ecstasy he's able to give me. I want to be back in that bed. I don't care how we came to meet tonight. He's with me, and I need to take advantage of the situation before it disappears.

When I feel someone tapping on my shoulder I pull away from Cob's kiss. Addy is standing behind me with her hands folded across her chest. "Please tell me you know this guy." She's being protective.

"This is..." What am I supposed to say? We're not friends. I can't stand this guy, I think. "Jacob. His name is Jacob. We met a while back," is all I can say. I won't lead on where we met, or what we've done together already.

She extends her hand. "Nice to meet you. I've never seen you around before. I'm Addy."

I'm silently begging Cob not to say his nickname so Addy is familiar with exactly who he is. "Yeah, same. Did you come here together?"

"Why?" She wonders.

His answer is straight to the point. "Because I'd like to be the one to take her home."

Addy's eyes light up. I think she's shocked that a stranger is insinuating they can take me home without her prior knowledge. I feel it's necessary to chime in.

"Addy it's fine. You guys need to head out early so Cole can work in the morning. Jacob will bring me back to the house later. I'll text you to check in."

She's still thinking about it. "Do you need to run a background check on me?" Cob asks.

Finally she lets her guard down. "That won't be needed. If you harm her in anyway I'll make sure you walk around d.i.c.kless for the rest of your miserable life."

He laughs as she walks away to gather her boyfriend, sister, and Ethan. They each come to say their goodbyes before leaving the establishment. I'm immediately struck with regret. What am I doing? Is this really what I want to happen? How is this even possible?

Cob pays his tab and leads me outside. I stop him halfway to his vehicle in the parking lot. "Hold on. You're taking me home, right?"

He scratches his head. "No. You're coming with me."

I don't budge. "Where?"

"I have a temporary apartment while I'm working here for the next few months. It's nothing extravagant, but it suffices."

"I think maybe you should take me home. I'm having seconds thoughts," I admit.

"No you're not," he challenges. "Stop fighting it." He breaks the distance between us and laces his hands into both of mine. "I shouldn't have to ask to f.u.c.k you, not after you've had a sample of what I can offer."

"It wasn't all that," I attest.

He laughs. "Do you need me to remind you of how many times I made you scream?"

When he talks about it I feel dizzy. His lips crash against mine and as he pulls away I fight with my own conscience. "It's a bad idea."

"I never expected to see you again, especially here, but now that I have I won't give up until you're back in my bed and riding me into tomorrow like you did before. You can play hard to get, but it will only last a short while. You can't deny enjoying me."

"There is the fact that I can't stand you. Don't forget about that minor detail."

"You don't have to like me, Callie. I just want you to f.u.c.k me."

"What if I still decline the offer?"

"What if I refuse to let you?"

"It could be misconstrued as something criminal. I wouldn't want you getting into trouble for random p.u.s.s.y you can obviously get somewhere else. Let's not play these games. You want me because it seems easy, but you're wrong. The one time we were together was a fluke. It was a means to an end."

"Standing here discussing it is d.a.m.n near criminal. You're trying to make excuses. I'm offering you endless enjoyment for the entire night. I simply want to unwind in the company of a beautiful woman who knows exactly how to satisfy a man. What do you have to lose? I'm not trying to trap you. I don't want a relationship, just a night of f.u.c.king you'll never be able to forget, just like the time before it."

"No strings," I say. "We owe each other nothing afterwards. It's just s.e.x, like it was before. You won't call me and I won't try to contact you. We can go back to loathing each other afterwards."

"Deal." He swallows as he says it, making me think he's not being honest, though I don't care. I'm close enough to smell his musky cologne, and it reminds me of the way his skin tasted the last time my tongue drug over it. His lips, so full, beckon to be kissed, not to mention the harping desire I have for them to coa.r.s.e over certain places on my body.

"Then I guess it's settled."

"Good, because you were coming home with me regardless of your answer. I don't give up easily, and since I know exactly what's in store, I have a good idea you'll enjoy it just as much as I intend to. If not, you can walk away."

"I plan to." It's the truth, albeit I'm struggling over it, because I know the more I enjoy him the more likely I'll want more until one quick f.u.c.k will never be enough.

Chapter 11.

Cob I never thought I'd see her again, but I was sure it was Callie, even from all the way across the room. Her beauty is like a natural beacon, crying out for attention. Never in a million years would I have expected to run into her at this dive restaurant, but now that I have my night has changed. Instead of having a meal before heading back to my tiny rented home, I'll be enjoying the evening with someone who can consume me.

She's such a spitfire, denying me the pleasure I know we both enjoy. I expected her to reject my first offer. She's been stubborn since the day we met, and d.a.m.n if it didn't make her the perfect object of my affection, at least for a temporary fix.

There was a time when I didn't care who I ended up sleeping with. Sure, I had particular tastes as far as looks, but p.u.s.s.y was p.u.s.s.y, especially in college. Now that I've become a man I have the same preferences, but little interest in making a mockery of myself by inviting each and every woman who gives me attention to join me in bed.

For some reason Callie is an exception. She haunts me, ever since the night she let me f.u.c.k her, over and over again.

My job takes me all over the country. When I was a.s.signed to this location I was certain I'd be surrounded by a bunch of country women with low standards. I never expected this. Her of all people. She has issues, mostly with men from what I can tell. The night we spent together showed me how anxious she was about something in her life. I let her take out her problems on me, because I reaped the perks. She was vicious, violent, and precisely what my d.i.c.k needed after a month's dormancy. It's not like I pick up a different woman in each city I travel to. My schedule requires me to put in more hours than I care to admit. I know it's not the job I want to keep for the rest of my life, but it fell into my lap at the right time and I went with it. Besides, I enjoy the travel part. I've gotten to see cities and towns I never would have traveled to otherwise. Mostly it gets me away from home life, not that it's ever been bad. My parents have a pretty good marriage. They argue on occasion, but happen to enjoy each other for the most part. When I'm home I feel obligated to volunteer with projects where the family business is concerned. Determined to branch out and be my own person, I left as soon as I was able, and only return when it's necessary.

The drive to my place is only a few minutes away. Callie says nothing as we make our way down a deserted road without street lights. It's pitch black with the exception of my headlights leading the way. She's probably used to this, but I'm not. I like a well lit city, where there are plenty of choices to dine and entertain myself. These little off the beaten path towns bore me, because there is so little to do. When I first arrived I cringed at the little amount of amenities there were within a five mile vicinity.

Callie will be my distraction.

We pull into the driveway of the home and she giggles. "I wouldn't picture this as your house."

"Work pays for it. I don't complain. It's a temporary arrangement."

The two bedroom rancher is painted a bright yellow with black shutters. Even at night you can see the vivid color of it. Large azalea bushes landscape the vicinity of the structure and there are several yard ornaments on display that reflect against my headlights. "It looks like my grandmother lives here."

"She doesn't, I can a.s.sure you. The person who lived here is in a nursing home in Louisville. Her children put the place up for rent fully furnished in order to keep paying for the taxes and their mother's care. It smells like moth b.a.l.l.s in the closets, so don't open them. I keep my clothes in my suitcase and refuse to use any of them. Don't mind the paperwork in the dining room, or the slew of blueprints you'll find in the living room. I've been working a lot of late nights since getting here last week."

"Why not just stay in a hotel? Wouldn't it be more convenient?"

"This is cheaper for the company, I suppose. Besides, it will eventually get torn down when the new roadway is built."

"Does the woman's children know that?"

"Not yet, but she does. The homeowner already signed the papers. This part of the construction won't happen for three more years. It's a long operation, one I won't be around the whole time for."

"I still can't believe you're here in Kentucky."

"Hoping you'd never see me again?" I wonder.

"Something like that. More wishing this day would never come." I appreciate her honesty, but only to a certain degree. The more of a challenge she makes this, the harder I'll try, which puts me in a position I don't like being in. It will force me to want to spend more time with her, and doing so would only prove to be a problem for me.

"Sorry to put a damper on your plans. I won't keep you long."

She snickers. "Don't treat me like I'm part of the job, temporary and an easy task."

"I wouldn't use the word 'task' with you, Callie. You're more of a conquest a much needed relief to a rough couple of days. As far as easy goes, well that could be argued upon."

I lead her into the main living area of the home and waste no time making sure she forgets all about the outdated decor. My mouth crashes over hers, our tongues becoming tangled as things proceed to heat up. I swear I've been fighting an erection since the second I saw her, so this does nothing for my inability to withstand temptation. She reminds me of the greatest challenge a man never wants to admit he can't achieve. She's beyond bodacious and beautiful. Words can't describe what it's like to be this close to her and know exactly what's to come.

I let her use me once before, but not because I knew it would get me laid. I did it for the simple fact that I wanted her the moment I first laid eyes on her perfect body, and difficult att.i.tude. She's a challenge for me. Callie forces me to work for it, which only makes me desire her more.

Despite not knowing much about her, I'm inclined to a.s.sume she's a hard person to please. She's opinionated, maybe a bit spoiled, but mostly a hard-headed woman determined to make me work for her affections.

We part from our embrace. Callie scopes my face for a sign of what I'm thinking. "You got me here."

"With little to no effort. The evil queen must have weaknesses."

Her smirk plays against my smile. "Evil queen? Fairy tales are for children, and happily ever afters aren't real. You're kind of creeping me out right now. I thought you wanted s.e.x."

I drag my hand through her blonde locks. "Oh, I do, but unlike the last time, we can go slow. There's no rush."

Callie backs further away from me. She's rubbing her face while speaking. "I shouldn't be here with you. This is nuts."

"Is it? I think it's a pretty d.a.m.n nice coincidence. Out of all the places in the country we end up in the same hick town? Come on. You can't deny we have a golden opportunity here. Look, I'm not staying forever. I'm overseeing a new project and then I'll be gone. You can go about your life as if I never existed."

"Is that a promise?" She almost has me convinced she hates me.

"I'll let you know in the morning." I take her by the hand and pull her near. "Not a single day has gone by where I haven't thought about the way you taste." I tell her this to shock her. I want her to be aware that my attraction to her has become animalistic. I'm tormented each time I set eyes on her and I don't know why. Usually after I've experienced a woman she's out of my system, but not this one. She's either special, or I'm losing my touch.

Her lips brush over mine. "You can't talk like that."